Tips for Handling a Mid-Career Crisis
Midlife crises have long been a source of comedy in TV and movies. However, in reality, this experience is often anything but funny. A midlife career crisis or major career change can leave an individual feeling anxious, upset, and unmotivated about their profession. If you鈥檝e been experiencing these emotions, you should know that you鈥檙e not alone. The聽phenomenon is common, especially for those in their 30s, 40s, and 50s.听
While it can feel overwhelming, the situation also offers a valuable opportunity to reassess your goals, realign your priorities, and explore new possibilities鈥攊ncluding a potential career change. This experience can be challenging, but it can also lead to a more fulfilling future. Keep reading to explore practical strategies for navigating a midlife career crisis and learn how to turn this difficult situation into a chance for personal growth, exciting new experiences, and renewed motivation.听
What Is a Mid-Career Crisis?聽
A mid-life career crisis is a period of professional reevaluation that typically arises when an individual is several years or even decades into their chosen profession. People experiencing this may have invested significant time and energy to acquire their current position, but now find that it no longer brings them fulfillment or financial stability. Research indicates that professionals experience a throughout their careers. Job satisfaction tends to be higher at the beginning and end of careers, and it tends to be lower during the middle phase. Sometimes, a professional plateau is simply a result of this pattern. In other cases, it is an indication that an individual should re-examine their professional ambitions and consider changing their career trajectory.听
Mid-Career Crisis Symptoms聽
聽While everyone experiences demotivation or demoralization from time to time, a mid-life career crisis is characterized by an intense, chronic sense of job dissatisfaction and mental fatigue. If you鈥檙e going through this, you might be dealing with high levels of stress and burnout. You might struggle to set goals or maintain a positive outlook at work. You may even start to resent your employer or colleagues.听
Lost Motivation聽
Being stuck in a professional rut can sap your energy and motivation. Responsibilities that once felt engaging start to feel monotonous, making it hard to be productive. The drive you once had fades, leaving you questioning the path you鈥檝e chosen. Lost motivation can even lead to poor work performance, which in turn can threaten your professional success and lead to missed opportunities for advancement.听
Lack of Confidence聽
As self-doubt grows, it can undermine your confidence, transforming the way you view your own abilities and achievements. This internal struggle might cause you to second-guess even your most significant accomplishments. As the lack of confidence persists, the fear of failure can begin to seep into your thoughts, affecting your mindset at work and at home. Some people also experience 鈥渋mposter syndrome,鈥� a psychological pattern involving strong feelings of self-doubt and inadequacy.听
Negative Attitude聽
Going through a period of professional uncertainty can be frustrating, confusing, and psychologically taxing. This stress can lead some individuals to adopt a negative attitude, causing them to consistently focus on what鈥檚 wrong rather than what鈥檚 right. Even minor setbacks or challenges can feel overwhelming during such times. While it鈥檚 not always easy, maintaining a positive outlook and holding onto hope is essential.
Lack of Direction聽
Professional stagnation usually coincides with a lack of direction. You might ask yourself: Should I leave my current role and get a new job in the same industry? Should I try something completely different? Should I work toward a promotion or a lateral move? This uncertainty can sometimes lead to 鈥渁nalysis paralysis,鈥� where overthinking all the possible options makes it even harder to make a decision.听
Resentment Toward Workplace and Colleagues聽
For some, the challenges associated with a professional crisis spill over into relationships with coworkers. As you face uncertainty about your future, your discontent may become noticeable to those around you. You might become less involved in work conversations or stop your regular level of contributions. This shift can strain your relationships with colleagues and managers. Maintaining healthy professional relationships during such tumultuous times is crucial, but it often requires conscious, sustained effort.
Feelings of Burnout聽
Navigating a period of professional uncertainty can be exhausting. The feelings of burnout can lead to physical, mental, and emotional fatigue. If you鈥檙e experiencing burnout, you might feel detached from your organization鈥檚 mission and uninterested in work activities. You may even experience symptoms like headaches, changes in appetite, and sleep disturbances. Burnout can affect your ability to enjoy hobbies, connect with family and friends, and fulfill personal responsibilities.听
Common Reasons for a Mid-Career Crisis聽
Why does someone go through a professional crisis? The reasons are as varied as the individuals experiencing these situations. For some, a mid-career slump is triggered by a sudden realization that a person鈥檚 current job no longer aligns with their values or aspirations, indicating that they should reassess their professional goals and possibly change jobs. For others, it鈥檚 simply a sign that they need rest and rejuvenation. Determining the cause is the first step toward devising a solution.听
Stalled Career Progression聽
If you鈥檝e been in the same role, completing the same job tasks for a long period, you might feel stuck鈥攐r even bored. Perhaps your role doesn鈥檛 allow you to tackle challenges or learn new skills. Maybe professional advancement opportunities and growth avenues are scarce. In a situation like this, a frank and honest discussion with your boss can be incredibly valuable. It's possible that you have more room for growth than you realize. However, it's also possible that the position no longer matches your career goals.听
Desire for a New Career Path聽
Professional dissatisfaction can sometimes lead to a desire for a completely different career path. For instance, you may have spent years in an office job but now dream of a healthcare career that involves direct patient care. Alternatively, you might have worked in a highly collaborative position and now crave a role that offers greater independence and flexibility. As people grow older, their personalities and preferences can change, which can directly influence their career goals. Regardless of your circumstances, it's never too late to change your career trajectory and pursue a job that brings you joy.听
Financial Concerns聽
Financial stress can exacerbate discontent at work.听 A conducted by the Pew Research Center revealed that 80% of respondents who were unhappy with their pay felt that it had not kept pace with the rising cost of living. Additionally, just over 70% stated that their pay was too low for the quality of work they provided.听
Industry Changes
Fluctuations in your industry can also lead to dissatisfaction at work. If your field has changed significantly since you entered it, you might be considering a new career path. Technological advancements, regulatory changes, competitive pressures, or cultural shifts can all influence the day-to-day operations involved in a job, transforming it into something else entirely.听
Change of Personal Priorities聽聽
Shifting priorities can also contribute to a professional crisis. Marriage, divorce, the birth of children, or aging parents can prompt a reevaluation of a person鈥檚 values and priorities. For example, if you were single with no children when you began your career and are now married with several children, you may need a job that provides more flexibility. Alternatively, changes in your personal life may make a demanding role more feasible. For instance, if your children are grown, you might be open to jobs that require frequent travel or longer hours.听
10 Tips for Handling a Career Crisis聽
There is no one way to effectively manage vocational uncertainty. The next steps depend on your personal and professional priorities, life circumstances, financial status, and personality. However, the following tips may help you determine the causes and potential solutions.听聽
Take a Vacation聽
For many people, taking a break from work can provide the mental and emotional space needed to gain clarity about their professional journey. Whether it鈥檚 a vacation involving travel or simply a 鈥渟taycation鈥� at home, stepping away from the daily grind offers a valuable opportunity to recharge and evaluate your career choices.听
Recalibrate Your Career Goals聽
Introspection is key when addressing career fatigue. To fully understand how to manage a mid-life career crisis, you鈥檒l need to first evaluate your career goals. First, reflect on your current situation. Why are you unhappy? What would need to change in order for you to love your job? Think about what truly matters to you. Where do you want to be in five years, ten years, or even twenty years? You may need to adjust your professional goals to align with your values and priorities.听
Do a Self-Assessment聽
Another crucial step in managing a professional transition is conducting an honest self-assessment. Take a hard look at yourself. What strengths and skills do you possess? Where are your skills lacking? How do your strengths and weaknesses align with your current career path? Equally important is evaluating how your personal preferences match your current job. For example, have you found yourself in a role that requires constant communication only to realize that you鈥檙e not really a 鈥減eople person?鈥� Alternatively, perhaps your current job feels isolating and lonely, and you鈥檙e yearning for a position that involves more collaboration and teamwork.听 Only you can decide what鈥檚 right for you.听
Look for New Career Options聽
It never hurts to explore new opportunities. Whether you鈥檙e certain that you want to change jobs or you鈥檙e simply curious about what鈥檚 out there, taking the time to research other opportunities can provide valuable insights. Consider reviewing job posts on platforms like LinkedIn and Indeed to identify the educational qualifications and skills you need to successfully shift careers.听
Try Career Counseling聽聽
Career counseling offers yet another option for individuals who are feeling stuck and uncertain during a mid-life career crisis. A career counselor will have a wealth of knowledge and resources that can help you with goal setting, job searching, and skill assessment. Although they don鈥檛 provide therapy in the way that a mental health counselor does, a career counselor can also be a valuable source of emotional support during this difficult time.听
Look for a New Mentor聽
Because mentors typically possess greater experience and a wider perspective, they can offer invaluable guidance during pivotal moments or decisions in your professional journey. Mentoring relationships can take various forms. Some organizations offer structured mentorship programs that pair seasoned employees with newer team members. However, you don't need a formal arrangement to benefit from mentorship. You might seek guidance from a colleague, friend, or even a connection in your professional network.听
Try a New Hobby Outside of Work聽
Self-care is essential during a mid-life career crisis, and a crucial aspect of this involves finding activities that provide a sense of fulfillment outside of work. Whether you pick up painting, weightlifting, baking, coding, or another hobby, the key is to find something that allows you to disconnect from daily pressures and relax.听
Start Networking聽
During a challenging period in your professional life, one of the most important steps you can take is to build your professional network. Consider reaching out to contacts within your industry, attending networking events, or engaging with platforms such as LinkedIn. Strengthening your network can open doors to potential collaborations, job leads, and resources that can help you overcome career challenges more effectively.
Evaluate Your Work-Life Balance聽
Perfectionism often goes hand-in-hand with excessive work stress. Some individuals set impossibly high standards for themselves in their professional careers, striving for excellence to the point where it becomes detrimental. Whether you鈥檙e going through a career transition, pursuing a promotion, or just evaluating your options, a healthy work-life balance is essential. Take some time to honestly consider whether you鈥檙e prioritizing your health and well-being alongside professional aspirations.
Invest in Self Development聽
Another important step to take during a midlife career crisis is to develop your skills. This can involve acquiring technical skills that are relevant to the industry or cultivating soft skills, such as communication, leadership, and emotional intelligence. Engaging in workshops, seeking mentorship, or participating in networking events can provide valuable opportunities to strengthen these skills. Personal development not only opens career opportunities but also boosts your confidence, helping you establish a strong foundation for continued success.听
Shift Careers with WGU聽
Are you ready to move forward in your professional journey and explore new opportunities? WGU offers accredited, industry-aligned degree programs that make higher education accessible to individuals regardless of their circumstances. Our flat-rate tuition, combined with our online, competency-based learning model, allows you to earn a degree or certificate at a speed that works for your unique circumstances. Whether you鈥檙e a working professional looking to advance in your current role or you want to pursue an entirely new career, WGU has you covered. Apply today!
